Danny Ray (Ray Trilogy) by Kelley Brown Page A

fine strapping young’uns. The wife, she doesn’t even notice one more plate. Let’s go see what’s for supper,” Greg urged.
    Danny followed him into the back door somewhat embarrassed, thinking he really should go home.
    Greg walked in the back door and sang to Aimee, “ Hey, good looking, what you got cookin ’.” They turned and looked at each other with a grin on their faces from some old joke only the two of them knew, he continued singing a song written by Hank Williams as he sauntered toward her, “ how about cookin’ somethin’ up with me?” He looked in the pot she stirred with a long wooden spoon. He took a big whiff and said, “Chicken and noodles. Aah, woman, you make my day.”
    She smiled at him and pushed him away, “Go on, Greg. You’ll do well to get your share when all these kids get to the table.”
    “Invited Danny to eat supper with us. Been helping me on the greenhouse.” Greg motioned toward Danny.
    “Of course, Danny , she invited warmly. “There is plenty. There’s no need for you to go home and eat by yourself. You are always welcome at our table.”
    Danny agreed t o stay, “Thank you, Mrs. Dodd.” He followed Greg back out to the greenhouse to complete the last rafter and put away the ladder and tools.
    When Danny took his hammer and tossed it in the back of his pickup, he saw Angela drive in with a young man with her. She got out of the car with a big smile on her face, her hair tied in a low ponytail down her back and wearing a yellow and red floral blouse and brown slacks. “Hi, Danny,” she greeted. “It’s good to see you.”
    “Hi, yourself,” Danny answered. “I hear that you have a job now.”
    “Yes, I needed a little spending money until I can get the greenhouse going. It’s good experience for me and actually I’m learning a lot, too.”
    “Good,” Danny turned to the young man and held out his hand. “My name’s Danny Ray. You ought to know your own.”
    The young man turned to his sister and said drily, “Is he a comedian or what?”
    Danny answered for her, “I’m just a what.”
    “I’m Angela’s brother, Theodore. I’m the end of the litter. Please call me Ted so I won’t have to punch your eyes out.”
    “Ouch,” Danny quivered in jest. “He’s tough.” Danny jumped into a karate stance and waited to see what Ted would do.
    Ted did a backflip toward the front door yelping like a hurt pup.
    Danny relaxed and both he and Angela laughed all the way to the door.
    Sarah and Janie helped set the table and the food was already placed on the table ready for everyone to sit.
    “ Grandpa, may Tim and I go fishing tomorrow?” Brad asked.
    Greg sat back thinking, “Son, my pond has so m any pond weeds in it that you would only lose your hooks in it.”
    “Would it be okay if they came over and fished in my pond?” Danny offered. “It’s close to the house and it used to be stocked. I guess it still has fish in it.”
    “I don’t have a problem with it.” Greg indicated looking at Aimee to see if she cared. She shrugged her shoulders, so he asked the boys, “Do you want to fish in Danny’s pond?”
    The boys literally were bouncing in their chairs in anticipation by this time. “Sure.”
    “Good,” Danny said eagerly. “You can see my calves and new pigs.”
    “Oh, you have new pigs?” Angela inquired.
    “Yes, do you want to come over to see my new Hampshire pigs?” Danny asked her. “I just got them today.”
    “Absolutely,” she said rising from the table since she had completed her meal.
    Danny stood and asked, “Ted, would you like to come with us?”
    Ted shrugged and said, “Nothing else to do.”
    After arriving at Danny’s, t hey walked around and looked at the calves, then ambled toward the pigs. Frisker followed along as Angela carried the kittens. Danny stood with both hands in his back pockets of his jeans leaning against the corner of the barn as he told them about meeting Sam Mitchell and about buying the